FIVE
I THINK THERE ARE ENOUGH
OF US HERE NOW …
FRANCE, AUGUST
A few days after George was withdrawn from Pozieres he again wrote to his enlisted brothers. Now free of his filthy and bloodied clothes, rested and fed, he is a little more forthcoming about his experience than in previous letters. He describes the extent of the German fortifications and warns of the role that chance plays in survival. He is obviously concerned that four brothers on the fields of France is tempting fate; he expresses his displeasure that Charlie has now signed up.
August 26th
Dear Allan & Percy
A few lines to say that I have received a card and a letter from you and was pleased to learn that all are well I would have written before but we were in the firing line when I got the card and received the letter yesterday but have been on the move the past few days. My word it was hot and lively where we were as we are not allowed to say much about it, you wouldn’t believe what it was like a man is lucky to come out of it alive, Archie Bailey and Harry Burrows were wounded in the first stunt. Harry is only slightly wounded I believe, as I inquired at his company but Archie got some bad knocks about the head, face and arms he is in one of the hospitals over there so he is alright, both Amos and I came out of it alright. I haven’t heard anything about Charlie Cockcroft and Ray Leed but the division that they are in was not round in the Big Push. You would be surprised to see the place now where all the fighting has been going on, and to see how the germans have been prepared, the dugouts are something wonderful just like houses underground and are 40 and 50 feet deep and one room above the other well lads we are going into a different front this time and hope it is better than the last, I have seen a lot of France and Belgium since I have been here. My word you chaps are lucky getting over there instead of going to Egypt don’t be in a hurry to get into the fray. There is a rumour that our leave to England is going to start if it does I might get over there before you leave I suppose Tom and the others will not be long there. I have had some letters from home lately, they tell me Charlie has enlisted and passed I think there are enough of us here now without him coming. Your Auntie and the others must have been pleased to see you. Remember me to all the boys, drop a line every week. I will write as often as I can, hoping all are well
George
Charlie Cockroft and Ray Leed were not in the ‘big push’ that was Pozieres, but this did not mean that they were safe. Ray Leed was 21 years old when he left the family farm near Mologa and joined the 57th Battalion of Pompey Elliott’s 15th Brigade. He was killed near Armentieres in an action prior to the Battle of Fromelles on 15 July 1916.1 Charlie Cockroft was also a farmer from the local area. He enlisted in July 1915 and served in the 58th Battalion, 15th Brigade. He was wounded three times, the first at Fromelles on 19 July when he was shot in the arm. On the third occasion in 1918, while in England and on the mend, he was listed as absent without leave on a number of occasions. The charges were eventually dismissed; perhaps it was considered that he had good cause as he was married in London on 30 November 1918.2
The day after George wrote to Allan and Percy, he also wrote home to his mother. He again expressed his disappointment that Charlie had enlisted and his frustration that other eligible men in the Mologa district appeared unwilling to risk their lives. After Pozieres, George knew that the chances of four brothers surviving the dreadful carnage were slim.
August 27th
Dear Mother
… before you receive this letter you will be alarmed at not getting any letters well I haven’t had much time to write as we have been in this Advance and shifting about etc., well it was very lively you wouldn’t believe what it was like, some of the battles are the greatest that have been fought here every inch of the ground is ploughed up with shells, well Amos and I were lucky enough to get out of it without a scratch but Arch Bailey and Harry Burrows were both wounded in the first stunt, I didn’t see Archie but I believe he got some bad wounds, Harry is not too bad, I enquired after him, Archie is in England at present and is doing fairly well, we have shifted again and are going into a different part of the line this time, we are not allowed to say much about it. Well the boys have arrived in England I had written two letters to them and they got them just after they arrived and Al wrote to me straight away and has also written another letter he said they have had four days leave into London and that they went out to Leicester my word they are lucky to be sent over there, Tom Alford and the others are also over there but I suppose they will soon be sent here to reinforce the battalion. I met Jack Gallagher here a few days ago he is in the artillery and had been sick in the hospital. And Charlie is going into camp I think there are enough of us here now without him coming, it is time some of those around there woke up. I got a letter from Miss Lowrie saying that she has got another school …
I remain your loving son
George
As George wrote home he was en route to the Belgian border, marching through French villages until a train arrived to take the men to the Belgian village and soldier’s retreat of Poperinghe, a vital Allied centre 13 kilometres to the west of Ypres in unoccupied Belgium. Nicknamed ‘Pop’s’ by Allied soldiers, it was a place of refuge where they could visit shops and restaurants and be entertained at a theatre or dancing hall. A period of rest at Pop’s represented a brief interlude in which some sense of normality could be restored. The most popular places were Talbot House and Concert Hall, a club established by army chaplains Phillip Clayton and Neville Talbot in the mansion of a hop trader and banker who had fled Belgium. Today the building has been preserved as it was at the time of the war. George would not stay at Poperinghe but would return in 1917. Instead the Australians marched on to the shattered town of Ypres, arriving on 29 August. The battlefields to the east of the town were now a quagmire as the autumn rains fell.
MOLOGA, AUGUST 1916
On the first day of August, Charlie swore his oath of allegiance and was appointed to the 3rd Reinforcements of the 38th Battalion. He would be joining Allan and Percy as members of the 3rd Division. As he quickly organised his financial arrangements, his letters to his mother revealed nothing of his intention to propose to his girlfriend, Pearl Clee.
Bendigo
1st August 1916
Dear Mother,
I have opened a joint account in the Bendigo State Savings Bank which I enclose a form for your name just under mine, by this you will be able to pay in or draw out just the same as I can. I open with 1 pound I have the book here which I will leave with Pearl post the form back to the bank. I am in a devil of a hurry.
From
Your loving son
C.E. Marlow
The local newspaper promptly acknowledged Charlie’s enlistment:
Mr C E Marlow, of Mologa, who has been accepted for active service, went into camp on August 1. He previously enlisted 13 months ago, but the teeth regulations at that time did not permit him to be accepted. Five sons of the family have now offered their services to their country, 4 of whom have been accepted.3
Charlie was preparing to fight his own personal battle. He and Pearl were to marry. Revealingly, he does not mention this to his mother; rather he keeps his discussion to the daily routine, making no mention of his young love. While later he explains to his mother that he expected no opposition, his silence regarding his intentions may indicate that he was not as confident as he wanted his parents to believe. He evidently expected a negative reaction from his family and he was justified.
Bendigo
Wednesday 2nd 1916
Dear Mother,
… I am in the same tent as one of the Miles’s from Kamarooka he is a cousin to the Miles’ at Yarrawalla. We get plenty to eat any amount of tucker here including a plum pudding for dinner. I sent up a letter yesterday about the Savings Bank business which you were to sign and send back to the bank. I have met all the boys from about Mologa and Pyramid. Young Jim Baker is in this camp, it has be
en a miserable day down here today raining nearly all the time it is raining here now like blazes. I paid Mr Walker for the teeth on Tuesday and White Bros are fixing up that clock for Jim, I will send it up next week, I think I will be going into Bendigo on Sunday, the camp is a good way back from the old one but you can get right through the old camp and right across the racecourse it is a short cut as round the road is a good bit further. I am in “C” Company so when you write address my letters Pte C E M, “C” Company Military Camp Bendigo. There is not a great number of men here now, there was a lot went away the day I came in, I saw Hughie Martin last night he expects to go about the 16th August. Well I think I have about ran out of news so I will draw to a close hoping all are well as I am at present.
I am
Your loving son
C.E.
With the uncertainty of departure, Charlie wasted no time and the wedding plans were rapidly prepared. At home on the farm, the family received their invitation. The suddenness of the announcement angered Charlie’s father and, in the days leading up to the wedding, debate raged within the family circle.
Mr & Mrs Clee present their compliments to Mr & Mrs Marlow and request the pleasure of your company at Heywoods Coffee Palace on the 19th August to celebrate the Marriage of our daughter Pearl with your Son Charles
Ceremony at One PM at St Pauls Bendigo
14/8/1916 RSVP
Friday, 11th Aug, 1916
Dear Mother
I received your letter today dinner time also one from Jim yesterday which I answered I was very sorry indeed to learn that you were all up in arms so much about us getting married I thought that was a matter that only concerned myself as I am old enough now to know what to do and besides I have always kept myself and had to work hard for what I have got. Pearl said that she did not expect me to leave her any of my money if I was killed and I think that is what they are so much out about I wrote to Pearl about it and was to see her tonight, but we have to march into Bendigo so I will not see her till Sunday and then we will see what we intend to do. I did not think that any of you would mind in the least, I spoke to the officer about leave and he got me leave and we were to be married next Saturday. Pearl has got her dress or rather is getting it and we had everything fixed, but I will see about putting it off if possible, but I reckon that the boss and them had no right to interfere, if we do get married I may get into the N.C.O. school, but if not I intend to get away the first chance I get which will be soon. I have written to George for money and have written to him before but have not got a reply up. I reckon that it is a hard knock to us and I can tell you I feel it. Otherwise I am getting on splendid I like the drill more every day it is very interesting. One of the officers says they will have conscription within a month as there are no one enlisting and there is not many in camp they have shifted us to different tents and it is rumoured that the camp is to be divided into two parts one for the volunteers and one for the conscripts well I have to go to drill now so will close hoping to have an answer from you early next week.
I will now say goodbye
Hoping all are well as this leaves me
I am your loving son
Charlie E
The wedding proceeded despite strong Marlow family disapproval and the young couple were married. With Charlie in camp, the opportunity to share their lives as newlyweds was restricted to brief visits when leave was granted. Such visits were few as Charlie’s period of training in Australia was cut short. The need to replace casualties in the line was now urgent. Within five weeks Charlie was on his way to England while the raging debate over conscription continued to exacerbate the deepening social chasm.
Charlie and Pearl Marlow on their wedding day.
Bendigo
Sunday [27.8.16]
Dear Mother,
Just a few lines I received your letter yesterday I am getting on alright I got leave from 2pm on Saturday till 11pm on Sunday night that is not too bad we have had a very easy time since I came back, we marched into Bendigo on Friday night and got away at the Masonic Hall we were supposed to go in but I cleared, it was a play but half of the boys cleared down the street there was a terrible crowd of people in town that night I met Jim Mahoney but I did not see any of the Gibsons and I have had leave about 3 times since I came back I do not know if I will be able to get into Bendigo next Sunday as I am afraid I will have to go on guard. I was picked for guard on Thursday night along with 8 others but they only wanted three so the officer said that the men that were dressed best and the cleanest looking he would let them off so I got out of it and was not sorry either. There is one of the Roberts from Durham Ox in my company he is a nice fellow, that young Miles that was with me was robbed of his pay ₤3/15/- the night after he was paid and was fined ₤1/15/- for staying over his leave so that is a bit rough on him. I do not know when I am sailing but I do not think it will be inside a fortnight. Well I will close hoping all are well as I am at present so goodbye mum I am your affect son CE
Pearl wishes to be remembered to all
I saw Townie down the street Friday night but was not talking to her.
Unlike those of his brothers, Charlie’s farewell was a hurried affair on the siding of the Mologa railway station. The controversial issue of conscription was mentioned by Councillor Jones in his farewell speech and Charlie carefully responded that duty to his country and helping his brothers was his motivation. A public airing of personal differences was avoided.
Mologa – Farewell to CE Marlow
On Tuesday afternoon before the departure of the train the residents of Mologa assembled at Mologa railway station to bid farewell to Pte. C.E. Marlow and made a presentation of a gold medal. Mr Fyffe, president of the farewell committee made the presentation and in doing so spoke at some length, first of all congratulating the departing soldier on his recent marriage. He trusted he would have the pleasure of seeing Pte. Marlow return safely to live amongst them, and assured him of a hearty welcome back. He paid a high tribute to Pte. Marlow as a young man of the district who had worked hard and bore an excellent character … Mr R. Jones, J.P., said Pte. Marlow was an industrious young man and a credit to Mologa. In the football field he was never found wanting, and he felt sure he would be the same at the front. The speaker also touched on conscription he asked his hearers if it was fair that four sons in one family should go, while in another not even one had enlisted. Pte. Marlow in response said when he went into camp he was taught to stand still and say nothing so they would excuse him for a short stay at home. He said he thought it was his duty to go and fight for his country and help his brothers and comrades at the front. He thanked them one and all for the congratulations and kindly remarks and the nice gold medal, which he would value to his life’s end. Three cheers were then given for Pte. Marlow, followed by more cheers for the Marlow family …4
LARKHILL, ENGLAND, AUGUST
While the battle for Pozieres raged across the channel, the men of the 38th Battalion first sighted England’s shores on 10 August. Allan and Percy disembarked at Plymouth and travelled through the green pastures of England en route to Larkhill Camp, Salisbury Plain. Arriving at midnight, the brothers saw little of their new home until morning when the expanse of the soldier city with amenities and huts nestled in the rolling fields was unveiled. The nearby village of Amesbury provided entertainment with a YMCA hut and cinema helping to relieve any boredom in the few idle hours. Four days’ leave was granted and the Marlows followed the majority of their fellow Australians to London then immediately continued further north to Leicester to surprise their father’s family with their unannounced but very welcome arrival.
Allan wrote to George:
England Friday
11 August
Dear Georgie
Well Georgie old cockie I received 2 letters from you today and by jove I was pleased to get them. I never even dreamt of getting any so soon. Well Georgie I am pleased to hear that you are well. You must be having a pretty ruff time over there. I
believe you chaps have been hit about a bit. Well Georgie it wont be long before we will be with you. We landed here last night at 2 o’clock. We disembarked at Plymouth at 2 o’clock yesterday. We had a great trip over we were 7 weeks on the water, but we had a very narrow escape. Well when I left home everyone was well. We are in a good camp here it is at Salisbury Plains. Well I will send you a letter on Sunday. We are all well. The boys wish to be remembered to you …
Percy took the time to write a long letter to his parents. He had much to tell of his first impressions of England — the countryside, the sights and meeting his relatives for the first time. The twins were already capitalising on the opportunities and seeing the sights was a priority.
Amesbury
20 Aug
Dear Mother & Dad
Just a few lines to let you know I am still alive, we are in England at last, it took us seven weeks and two days to come over, it was a lovely trip, I was not sick although the trip was a good one. The meals were rotten they were good at the start but after the first week or two they were not fit to eat. We had a bit of a guard duty to do, we were on a gun on the ship, there were twelve of us altogether on the gun, she was a big one. We landed at Plymouth but we could not see what the place was like, the camp we had to go [to] was eighty miles from Plymouth, it was four oclock in the morning before we got to bed. It was a lovely trip from Plymouth the country is pretty all layed out in little fields, and enclosed by blackberry, the lanes are very narrow hardly room for two carts to pass. The camp were [where] we are is not a very nice place, no towns near it. The village of Amesbury is not far away it is not much of a place not very many people there. We got four days leave, we went to London it is a nice place, the streets are crowded Allan & I went to Leicester it is about a hundred miles from London, it took us two hours to go there it is a nice place, we did not have much trouble finding our relations in Leicester. When we got to Paynes, Aunty and Ethel were at the pictures, the lady next door made us go in and she went to the pictures and told Aunty; they got a great surprise when they got back. There was only Auntie and Ethel there, the others were at Drayton – Ethel is about eighteen or nineteen she is a nice girl. They told us about Leicester and one or two good tales about Dad. The next day we went with Aunty to Drayton, we got there about ten it was a long walk to Aunt Charlotte[s] place on the way there we saw where Grandfather was buried and cannot think of the place where Aunty lives, it is not much of a village.5 While we were there we saw our Aunt Edith she walked six miles to see us, we saw Ida also, you would hear Jim talking about her, and a lot of other cousins Flo Wilson was the only one we did not see, she was away on holidays. They made a great fuss of us. We came back to London on the Wednesday and had a look round in the afternoon. The next day we went for a trip round London and by jove it did rain, we saw the Tower of London it is a very nice place and to St Pauls it is a nice place also. We had to go back to camp that night, it was about two when we got back and I was not a bit tired. We are going to go to Salisbury one week end. I just got a letter from Charlie and Albert and Aunty Etta. Well Mum we got a letter from George the other day he did not have much news. Well Mum we are going for a walk to the village blacksmith today so I think I will close.
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